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The Coquihalla: British Columbia's Insult to Road Building

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The Coquihalla, British Columbia's Insult to Road Bulding

by Ted Campbell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Coquihalla Highway is a 400-kilometer stretch of road in British Columbia that is notorious for its dangerous conditions and frequent closures. The road was built in the 1980s, and it has been plagued by problems ever since.

The Coquihalla Highway is located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia. The road crosses several mountain passes, and it is subject to extreme weather conditions, including avalanches, rock slides, and flooding. In the winter, the road is often closed due to snow and ice. In the summer, the road is often closed due to wildfires.

The Coquihalla Highway is a major transportation artery for British Columbia. The road connects the Lower Mainland with the Interior of the province. The road is also a popular route for tourists. However, the dangerous conditions on the road have made it a source of frustration for drivers.

A History of Problems

The problems with the Coquihalla Highway began soon after the road was built. In 1986, a rock slide closed the road for several days. In 1989, an avalanche closed the road for several weeks. In 1995, a flood closed the road for several months.

In 2003, a series of avalanches closed the road for several days. The avalanches caused extensive damage to the road, and they also killed four people. In 2006, a rock slide closed the road for several weeks. In 2009, a flood closed the road for several months.

The Coquihalla Highway has been closed more than 100 times since it was built. The closures have ranged in length from a few hours to several months. The closures have caused major disruptions to traffic and they have also cost the economy of British Columbia millions of dollars.

Efforts to Improve Safety

The government of British Columbia has made several efforts to improve the safety of the Coquihalla Highway. In 1998, the government installed a series of avalanche barriers along the road. In 2004, the government installed a series of rockfall barriers along the road. In 2009, the government widened the road and added a second lane in some sections.

The government has also implemented a number of measures to reduce the risk of flooding on the road. In 2011, the government installed a series of floodgates along the road. In 2012, the government raised the height of the road in some sections. In 2013, the government installed a series of pumps to remove water from the road.

The government's efforts to improve the safety of the Coquihalla Highway have been somewhat successful. The number of closures on the road has decreased in recent years. However, the road is still subject to extreme weather conditions, and it is still possible for the road to be closed for long periods of time.

The Future of the Coquihalla Highway

The future of the Coquihalla Highway is uncertain. The government of British Columbia is committed to keeping the road open, but it is also aware of the risks involved. The government is currently studying a number of options for improving the safety of the road. These options include building a new tunnel through the mountains, widening the road, and adding more avalanche barriers.

It is unclear whether any of these options will be implemented. The government is facing a number of financial constraints, and it is also concerned about the environmental impact of these projects. It is possible that the Coquihalla Highway will continue to be a dangerous road for many years to come.

The Coquihalla Highway is a major transportation artery for British Columbia. However, the road is also a dangerous road, and it is subject to frequent closures. The government of British Columbia has made several efforts to improve the safety of the road, but it is still unclear whether these efforts will be successful. The future of the Coquihalla Highway is uncertain, but it is clear that the road will continue to be a source of frustration for drivers for many years to come.

The Coquihalla, British Columbia's Insult to Road Bulding

by Ted Campbell

4.3 out of 5